Of all the pioneering
country-rock bands of the late '60s,
Poco may well have been the one that got the hybrid the most right, at least initially. The group's high-energy, joyous, and infectious songs had none of the artfulness of
the Byrds' attempt at fusing
rock and
country, and none of the cache of hipness that weighed down both
the Eagles and
the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Poco just played and had fun in an unassuming way, at least at the outset, because latter-era
Poco is every bit as laden with California cool as the above named bands. This release from England's
Beat Goes On Records combines
Poco's first two albums in a two-disc set, and it is an inspired (and obvious) pairing, catching the band at its freshest peak in the studio. Released in 1969,
Pickin' Up the Pieces features
Richie Furay's title track, a song that seems to be a comment on the breakup of
Furay's previous band,
Buffalo Springfield (or at least the demise of some kind of relationship), and it revels in the fresh new joy and freedom that comes with "picking up the pieces" and starting over. Another striking cut from the first album is pedal steel player
Rusty Young's propulsive instrumental
"Grand Junction," which grew to be a centerpiece of the group's live show.
Poco, released in 1970, continues the joy with
Furay's most
Springfield-like
Poco song,
"Hurry Up," and an impossibly infectious song from
Jim Messina,
"You Better Think Twice." Deliverin', a concert album released in 1971, continued the bouncy, bubbling
Poco sound, but the wheels started to change soon after, as
Messina left the group and was replaced by
Paul Cotton.
Poco continued making fine albums, but the joyous energy of these first three albums dissipated somewhat and the band drifted toward
the Eagles' model, which was less unique and innovative, but sold a whole lot better. ~ Steve Leggett